8 Historic Symbols That Mean The Opposite of What You Think

The symbolism of historic icons usually gets simplified over the years, and often co-opted by groups with their own agendas. Along the way, the actual history gets lost, which is the point of this Cracked article 8 Historic Symbols That Mean The Opposite of What You Think. Take, for example, the inverted cross that is sometimes used to symbolize satanism.
If those Satanists had paid attention in Sunday school, they would probably realize that the inverted cross is actually the personal trademark of Saint Peter, the first Pope, and one of the most revered figures in Catholic lore. When Peter was martyred by crucifixion he was said to have requested to be crucified upside down because he didn't feel worthy of dying the same way as Jesus. As a result, many dyed-in-the-wool Catholics actually consider the inverted cross to be a more acceptable thing to attach to your tacky jewelry than a regular right-way-up one.

And there are seven other symbols that might surprise you. Link -via Gorilla Mask

they should have wrote about the swastika. the swastika is a culturally universal symbol of peace and love, and has been used literally by every society in history for this purpose. This single exception is the brief period where the Nazis attempted to tarnish it and twist it to their purposes.
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The association of the inverted cross with satanism and evil may date to the time of the Vikings.

When the Vikings first showed up in Britain they were not the bloodthirsty lot represented in popular history. Yes, some of them were what would later become known as pirates or brigands, but as a race they were in general quite a peaceful and cultured bunch by the standard of the times. One thing they weren't, however, was Christians. As such the Christian church took against them an painted a somewhat darker picture of them than was actually true.

Now it just so happens that one of the religious symbols worn by Vikings was the Thor's hammer, a hammer with the head downwards. Not dissimilar to an inverted cross. It has been suggested that the Christian church either deliberately misrepresented this as an inverted cross to emphasize that the Vikings were evil. I think it more likely that the Christians being conditioned to seeing a cross on a chain simply mistook the Thor's hammer for an inverted cross and assumed it to be an affront to Christianity.

When Vikings began to convert to Christianity many of them wore the cross inverted. Reasons speculated for this include; that as a minority they were scared of persecution and therefore wore a symbol which would pass as Thor's hammer; that they didn't completely convert and had a foot in each camp as it were and therefore wore a dual purpose symbol; or that they simply modified their Thor's hammers to resemble a cross. I prefer to think that, being used to the sight of the hammer, to them the inverted cross just looked right. Which fits with the idea that the Christians used to seeing the cross were offended by the hammer.

There is also the fact that some Satanists associate themselves also with the worship of Viking gods, particular Odin the all father, but also Thor. Could this also be a reason why the hammer could have entered into the popular mythology of Satanism?

There are of course certain parallels between the worship of Odin and Christianity. One such is that one of the stories of Odin tells how he was suspended from the world tree for nine days and nights and pierced in the side by his own spear to gain wisom. Compare that tale with that of Jesus on the cross being pierced in the side by a roman spear. You can find similarities in the tales of other religions. Suggesting that many religious tales have common roots. Or perhaps that religious writers were copycats. ;)

Of course the interesting thing about the whole symbolism of the cross is that Jesus was probably crucified on an X shaped cross.
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A few problems with their analysis.

Catholics were oppressed at the time of the gunpowder plot. If England at the time had more religious tolerance, then there may never have been such a plot.

And it looks like Cracked pulled a Glenn Beck on the Thomas Paine part. His use of the term "landed property" had to do with plantations mainly (or any land granted that was used to produce profit while the owner never really worked the fields -or mines-). Also, Paine wrote quite a few other things that seem to contradict his calls taxation. For example, this quote from the very same Rights of Man.

If, from the more wretched parts of the old world, we look at those which are in an advanced stage of improvement, we still find the greedy hand of government thrusting itself into every corner and crevice of industry, and grasping the spoil of the multitude. Invention is continually exercised, to furnish new pretenses for revenues and taxation. It watches prosperity as its prey and permits none to escape without tribute. Paine-Rights of Man

Thomas Paine was a small-government, classical liberal, and not a hybrid of Karl Marx and FDR.
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So *GLAD* to see Che Guevara on this list! Every time I see some clueless dipshit wearing their Che shirt I want to rip it off them and burn it.

Nobody earned a nickname like "The Butcher of La Cabana" by being a nice guy and no one who propagates the spread of communism is a "freedom fighter".

I do enjoy some of the looks I get when I wear this shirt:
http://www.thoseshirts.com/commies.html

It's about time for a new one soon, it's getting kind of worn out!
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Well, let me preface this with, I am a Texan.
That being said, i agree that the intentions of those that died at the Alamo were not wholly respectable.
But the phrase "Remember the Alamo" has come to mean perserverance thru adversity and overwhelming odds. And truly that is what they did. They may have not wanted to give up their slaves and that is unfortunate but the phrase has evolved, regardless of its original creators personal agenda. SImilar to the Confederate flag, though i still find its use fairly unnerving to be fair.
Second, the phrase "Dont mess with Texas" is well known throughout Texas and similar southern states as a warning to protect the natural beauty of the state. We have commercials featuring prominant Texas celebrities that encourage and recite the anti-pollution pledge while pictured on Texan roadways. It too has come to symbolize a pride-like quality for natives to defend the natural beauty of the state. But in the scenario that was described..it sounds like someone wants to be a Texan but isnt and is ustilizing Texan branded catch phrases. Your more likely to see a cowboy hat and spurs in Montana than Texas these days.

Third, if he ordered a Shiner beer, which is the most commonly requested Texan local beer i commend him. Its the best beer i know and is so popular it is carried by many vendors outside the state including Las Vegas, Chicago, all states bordering Texas as well as most larger cities that experience influxes of Texas residents. So he would not, theoretically, be in the wrong to order a beer from this brewery anymore than a Boston native ordering Sam Adams in California or Maryland Native ordering Dogfish Head in Colorado.
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